Full Report
The system allows old TOW missile launchers to fire the massively more capable Spike LR2 without major modifications. The post Bradley’s Old TOW Launchers Get New Teeth With Spike Missile Adapter appeared first on TWZ.
Analysis Summary
# Morning News Roll-up October 13, 2026
## Overview
Today's report highlights advancements in missile integration for armored vehicles, the operational deployment of Israeli-made precision munitions by U.S. forces, and the proliferation of Spike-missile derivatives in the Middle East.
## Top Stories
### Bradley’s Old TOW Launchers Get New Teeth With Spike Missile Adapter
- Summary: Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS have unveiled a mature adapter system that allows legacy Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missile launchers to fire Spike LR2 missiles. This hardware and software solution enables vehicles like the M2 Bradley to utilize advanced imaging seekers and extended ranges (5.5km) without requiring a complete overhaul of the existing turret or gunner station. The adapter facilitates both mechanical loading and the electrical communication necessary for the Spike’s video-to-operator flight capabilities.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/land/bradleys-old-tow-launchers-get-new-teeth-with-spike-missile-adapter
### U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Armed With Spike Missiles Deploy to Iraq
- Summary: U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters have been observed operating in Iraq equipped with Israeli-made Spike missiles. This deployment marks a significant shift in the platform's precision-strike capabilities in the region, providing long-range, non-line-of-sight engagement options that surpass the capabilities of standard Hellfire munitions.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/air/u-s-army-ah-64-apaches-armed-with-israeli-spike-missiles-now-flying-in-iraq
### Iranian Spike Missile Derivatives Utilized by Hezbollah
- Summary: Reports indicate that Hezbollah has utilized Iranian-manufactured "knock-offs" of the Israeli Spike missile in recent attacks. This development highlights a TTP (Tactically Transferred Product) where reverse-engineered precision technology is being proliferated to non-state actors, mimicking the "fire-and-forget" and "man-in-the-loop" capabilities originally developed by Rafael.
- Source: hxxps://www[.]twz[.]com/iranian-knock-off-of-israels-spike-missile-used-in-hezbollah-attack
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# Spike LR2 Integration for TOW Platforms
Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS have developed a mechanical and electrical adapter system designed to upgrade legacy TOW missile launchers to fire the Spike LR2 anti-armor missile.
## Key Points
- **Seamless Integration:** The adapter provides a mechanical interface for the Spike LR2 that fits into existing TOW launch tubes and includes electrical bridges to communicate with the vehicle's internal systems.
- **Enhanced Capability:** The Spike LR2 offers a 5.5km range compared to the TOW's 4.5km, featuring a day/night imaging seeker that provides real-time video feedback to the operator.
- **Cost Efficiency:** The system is designed to avoid "wholesale replacement" of installed launcher equipment or radical overhauls of the vehicle’s gunner station.
- **Proven Performance:** The technology was successfully demonstrated during the U.S. Army's Project Convergence 2021.
## Threat Actors
- **State Actors (Proliferation/Copying):** Iran is identified as producing "knock-off" versions of Spike technology.
- **Non-State Actors:** Hezbollah is mentioned as a user of these reverse-engineered Spike variants in recent attacks.
## TTPs
- **Precision Anti-Armor Strikes:** Utilization of "man-in-the-loop" video guidance to adjust targeting during missile flight.
- **Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Engagement:** Ability to strike targets beyond the operator's immediate visual range.
- **Reverse Engineering:** Extraction of technical designs from Israeli Spike systems to produce local variants (specifically by Iranian-backed entities).
## Affected Systems
- **M2/M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles:** Primary candidate for the upgrade.
- **BGM-71 TOW Launchers:** The specific legacy hardware targeted for the adapter upgrade.
- **AH-64 Apache:** Mentioned in context of separate Spike-NLOS integrations.
- **Vehicle Electronics:** Requires installation of additional internal electronic components to support Spike flight functions.
## Mitigations
- **Hardware Hardening:** Ensuring vehicle electrical systems can support the power and data requirements of modern missile adapters.
- **Interoperability Standards:** Implementing modular architectures that allow for the integration of diverse missile types (TOW and Spike) on the same platform.
- **Counter-Munition Defense:** Development of Active Protection Systems (APS) to intercept incoming precision-guided missiles like the Spike or its derivatives.
## Conclusion
The development of the Spike-TOW adapter represents a significant force multiplier for legacy armored fleets. By bridging the gap between aging wire-guided technology and modern imaging seekers, military forces can extend the lethality and lifespan of existing platforms. However, the proliferation of similar technology to adversarial groups like Hezbollah via Iranian reverse-engineering remains a high-priority threat for regional stability.